Why not 9mm

[cwjeep]

I see most folks want to use a .45 or a .40 in lieu of 9mm.

I have a 9mm for CC and am curious why one would want a .45
for a concealed carry.

If he doesn't stop with two well placed rounds of 9mm, he won't with a 45 either.

1. 9mm ammo is cheaper (no I'm not poor)
2. Lighter
3. Less recoil

Then why a 40 in lieu of a 45 ?

Just curious.

For home defense:
I'd use a 12 ga shotgun with 00 shot

Thanks,
CW

[The Knight Of Light]

40 was made to fill a need. Police needed a pistol with knockdown like a 45 but in a platform and capacity like 9mm. The only way to do that was to take a cartridge that was already on it's way out before it had a chance.

10mm... Just way too much power. SO the FBI said lighten this up a bit! 40 was born.

Fits the same package as a 9mm with about 2-3 less in the mag. People with small hands now had a high capacity, powerhouse.

With the advances in bullet technology and loading techniques, we now have a much better selections of very effective ammo in 9mm.

With the advent of +p+ ammo and guns capable of shooting it we now have a highly effective platform available to us in the 9mm world.

[Glock Killer]

I guess most people want as big of caliber as they can get in a particular model of a gun. Yes a .45 has more stopping power than a 9mm, but like you, I'm confident that my shots with my 4" service 9mm will do the trick just fine. Oh yeah, the 100 round boxes of ammo for $17 is a definite plus.

[Breadfan]

9mm is a powerful round and more then capable of stopping the threat, baring in mind proper shot placement (as with any other caliber). It is a standard calibre for most european army, police & security officiers and was being successfully used as ww2 pistol round in german Luger and Walther handguns.

However, with the rising availability of bulletproof vests (used by criminals and terrorists), US Army and Law Enforcement needed a bullet with more penetration power, hence the .40 and .45 calibers, each having their advantages over a 9mm.

Basically, for a civilian self-defense usage, 9mm is more then capable of doing the job.

[thisismyusername]

For me, 9mm was too "light", 45 was too "heavy", 40 was "just right" (this porridge is too cold, this porridge is too hot). Whatever caliber you feel comfortable shooting and can accurately shoot would be the recommended caliber.

[Kermee]

I remember my days over at GT where the .40 S&W was referred to as "Small & Weak".

It's great to see members here that understand that caliber is only one part of a larger equation.

I do however, use +P+ ammo in my 9mm pistols including my HS2000.

[1lowlife]

I don't like 40cal recoil, in any pistol.

I carry my XD9sc daily and feel that it will cover any situation I may need it for.
My XD45 compact is more of a HD gun, but I carry at times as well.
The 45 is more fun to shoot at the range.

I agree with cwjeep, shot placement is more important than bullet caliber (as far as 9mm, 40cal, 357sig, 45acp) in a self defense situation....
To get into smaller calibers may be a different story.
But a pocket gun is better than being unarmed.
Just my .02 .............

Originally Posted by thisismyusername

Whatever caliber you feel comfortable shooting and can accurately shoot would be the recommended caliber.

+1

I think that pretty much sums it up, for me as well.
I don't like the 40, but many do.

[leatherneck]

With good rounds I don't think there is a reason not to carry 9mm. I have 9mm, .40 and .45 but have no issues with the power of my 9mm rounds.

[GlockConvert]

Someone once said a 9mm may expand but a 45 never shrinks. Pistols that we usually carry don't generate "knockdown power". They kill or disable by penetrating, expanding and destroying tissue and disrupting body systems. I have carried 9mm but I carry 45 mostly. In my opinion 45 is less dependant on bullet performance (expansion...) to accomplish its task. When I do carry 9mm I carry 127 +P+ ranger.

I do think that we have killed enough people with hollow point ammunition that we can say that 45 ACP is more lethal then 9mm. Its not as pat as saying if two rounds of 9mm won't do it neither will 2 rounds of 45. Penetration and expansion is better with 45. And if the bullet fails to expand (because its gone through a jacket, a barrier...) 45 is bigger then 9mm.

[mhillsing23]

If you are comfortable with 9mm, then stick with it. I am confident with it, and it is what I carry. Placement > Caliber